Statement by Coordinator of the Bureau for Operational Coordination of Intelligence and Security Sector Bodies Aleksa Bečić

The Bureau for Operational Coordination held its eighth session, attended by the Minister of Interior, the Director of the Administration for Execution of Criminal Sanctions, and the Acting Assistant Director of the Police Directorate for the Criminal Investigation Sector, alongside Bureau members.

Recalling that Bureau, in cooperation with the National Security Council, the Ministry of Interior, and the Police Directorate, has repeatedly emphasized the need to address the significant personnel deficit in the Police Directorate since the beginning of its mandate, Bureau welcomes the Ministry of Interior's announcement of a public call to recruit 815 police officers. It encourages all eligible candidates to apply and contribute to the ongoing reforms and much-needed strengthening of the Police Directorate. Bureau also acknowledges that in January, 49 graduates from the Police Academy secured permanent employment.

Bureau highlights the urgent need to address judicial inefficiencies, including prolonged court proceedings due to procedural abuses, the failure to deliver first-instance judgments within three years, and inadequate legal frameworks. These issues allow individuals accused of serious crimes to remain at large, thereby increasing the number of potential targets and perpetrators, as demonstrated by violent incidents last year. Bureau reiterates its appeal for immediate legislative amendments to address these security challenges.

Bureau commends the progress made in implementing measures adopted by the National Security Council following the tragedy in Cetinje. Between 2 and 22 January, as part of the "Respect Life, Return the Weapons" campaign, citizens voluntarily surrendered 1,315 firearms, 40,803 rounds of ammunition, 139 hand grenades, and various weapon parts and explosives. Additionally, illegal weapons have been seized through nationwide raids, and continuous operations targeting organized crime groups and individuals of operational interest have been conducted. A draft Law on Weapons and Ammunition, significantly stricter than the current legislation, has been prepared and put forward for public consultation by the Ministry of Interior. The Ministry of Justice has proposed amendments to the Criminal Code to toughen penalties for illegal possession and use of weapons. Furthermore, the personnel structure of the Cetinje Security Center has been reinforced, and numerous other measures aimed at prevention and capacity building have been implemented.

Recognizing the health and social dimensions of these systemic problems, Bureau supports the proposed specialized intersectoral approach involving healthcare, social, educational, and security institutions. The complexity of these issues requires a systemic response to prevent violence. Citizens are urged to report any forms of deviant behavior in society and to act as active partners in these efforts.

Bureau strongly supports the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation in adopting decisions that will facilitate the hiring of security personnel in primary and secondary schools.

Bureau reaffirms its previous conclusions, calling on intelligence and security sector bodies to carry out continuous joint, preventive, intelligence, and operational activities aimed at preventing serious crimes and neutralizing the actions of organized criminal groups, with a focus on potential hybrid threats.

Bureau endorses the decisive actions of the Ministry of Interior and the Police Directorate to eliminate undue influence and protect the integrity of the police profession. This includes sanctioning compromised police officers through fair and lawful procedures while recognizing, supporting, and rewarding those who perform their duties with honor and professionalism.

Bureau commends the Criminal Investigation Sector for its achievements in December, which included the prosecution of 137 individuals for crimes involving serious and organized criminal elements, among them leaders and members of high-risk organized crime groups, as well as former and current police officers.

Bureau also reviewed updates on the expansion of public area video surveillance systems, the finalization of the Draft Law on Road Traffic Safety, activities of the Ministry of Justice's working group on preparing the Draft Decree on Electronic Monitoring of Supervised Measures, reports on intersectoral task force activities, and other matters within its jurisdiction.